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What Microsoft has done is agree to provide OEMs with Windows XP media until June 30. Surely, somebody will accuse me of playing semantics. Not so. It's called accuracy in reporting, and pretty much everybody has it wrong.

The blogosphere buzzed with excitement, ridicule and accusation over the weekend about the rumored extension. Seems like anybody and everybody wagged the "We told you that Vista sucks" finger at Microsoft. I don't doubt that several OEMs want to continue offering Windows XP after Jan. 31, but they didn't need any extension to do it.

There's some crazy urban legend out there that downgrade rights:

* Are new with Vista

* Will expire on Jan. 31

* Can only be obtained through OEMs

These are falsehoods. Microsoft has long provided downgrade rights in OEM Windows versions and through volume licensing. Windows XP Professional OEM editions can be downgraded to Windows 2000. Similarly, Windows Vista Business and Ultimate can be downgraded to Windows XP Pro. According to a Microsoft downgrade rights fact sheet (PDF), Windows XP Pro can be installed by the buyer or by "an OEM, when authorized by end user" on PCs licensed for Vista Business or Ultimate.

The downgrade rights don't expire, at least while the current operating system is available. Yesterday, I bantered back and forth with two Microsoft PR reps about the nuances of the so-called extension. The official response is weak:

As more customers make the move to Windows Vista, we want to make sure that they are making that transition with confidence and that it is as smooth as possible. Providing downgrade media for a few more months is part of that commitment, as is the Windows Vista Small Business Assurance program, which provides 1-on-1, customized support for our small business customers.

I was unhappy with the response, because it doesn't satisfy the market situation. Many OEMs are offering Windows XP downgrade media for consumer PCs. So I pressed and got this equally unsatisfactory response:

Some partners want to be able to support their customers with appropriate media while they transition to Windows Vista-knowing they sometimes need more time to test applications before upgrading. Not all of our partners provide this option, so customers should check with their OEM or system builder for more information.